Dozens of Russians leave Syria as Moscow steps up evacuation efforts

Dozens of Russians left Syria on Tuesday on a plane sent by Moscow as the navy despatched four warships to the Mediterranean reportedly for a possible larger evacuation.

Moscow, which unlike other world powers still keeps close ties with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, also announced it would host Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem for talks on the crisis next week.

Observers are watching for any hints of Russia planning a full-scale evacuation of its citizens, which would be seen as a tacit admission from Moscow that Assad is doomed in his fight against rebels.

Two emergencies ministry planes carrying humanitarian aid flew from Moscow to the Syrian port city of Latakia on Tuesday and took back any Russians wanting to leave on their return trip.

Ninety-nine Russians and other ex-Soviet citizens, including women and children, took up the offer to fly to Moscow on one of the planes, the emergencies ministry said. It was not clear if the second plane would also carry people on its return.

Meanwhile, the defence ministry said Russia is sending four more warships to the Mediterranean Sea to join an escort ship and smaller vessels that are already on duty in the region.

The defence ministry said in a statement to Russian news agencies that the ships would be on "military service" but gave no further details.

But a military source quoted by the state RIA Novosti news agency said their main task could be taking part in a possible evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria.

"Even though the tasks of the warships have not been announced, it can be assumed that given the development of the situation in the region their main job will be taking part in a possible evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria," said the source.